Abstract: An endovascular near critical fluid based cryoablation catheter for creating an elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in tissue can comprise an elongated shaft, a flexible distal tissue treatment section, and a distal tip. A plurality of flexible tubes can extend through the distal treatment section to transport a near critical fluid to and from the distal tip. The distal treatment section can also include a flexible fluid-sealed cover or barrier layer surrounding the delivery tubes. The cover and tubes can collectively define a space which is filled with a fluidic thermally conductive media. The thermally conductive media, fluid delivery tubes, and the cover can be arranged such that a flow of the near critical fluid through the tube bundle transfers heat between a target tissue and the distal treatment section of the catheter thereby creating the elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first actuation assembly coupled to a first component and movable from a first position to a second position to actuate the first component. A biasing member coupled to the first actuation assembly is configured to bias the first actuation assembly towards the first position. A second actuation assembly is coupled to a second component and is selectively actuatable to actuate the second component. The second actuation assembly is coupled to the first actuation assembly such that actuation of the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuating assembly from the first position towards the second position. A linkage assembly is configured to reduce the bias applied to the first actuation assembly when the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuation assembly.

Abstract: A device and method for compressing a renal artery prior to delivery of radiofrequency ablative energy to the renal nerves. The device includes a stent structure with a focal region that expands outwards to place the RF electrodes located on the stent structure in close proximity to the renal nerves. A covering is applied to the stent structure to prevent intimal hyperplasia.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The articulation drive assembly is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing, a static member, and an indication feature. The rotatable housing is rotatably coupled to the body. The static member is fixed relative to the body. The indication feature is configured to indicate when the end effector is deflected into the non-articulated configuration. The indication feature includes a ridge and a cantilever arm. The ridge extends from an exterior surface of the rotatable housing. The cantilever arm defines a slot configured to house the ridge when the end effector is in the non-articulated configuration.

Abstract: A helical antenna structure for use in an electrosurgical instrument. The helical antenna structure is connectable to inner and outer conductors of a coaxial transmission line, and can act as both a radiating antenna or applicator structure, and also in a mode where an electric field is generated between its electrodes. In this way, the helical antenna structure may be used both for argon plasma coagulation, and deep tissue coagulation, as well as providing means for delivering a fluid, e.g. a therapeutic fluid such as adrenaline. This may be achieved through the use of helically arranged electrodes and a channel for gas to flow. This device is also used to deliver adrenaline and RF/microwave energy.

Abstract: A catheter probe configured with a capability to present a larger tissue contact area or “footprint” for larger, deeper lesions, without increasing the french size of the catheter, especially its distal section, includes an elastically deformable electrode configured to adopt a neutral configuration and a tissue contact configuration. The deformable electrode comprising a hollow porous tube with a distal portion having a closed distal end, and a proximal portion defining an opening to an interior of the tube, where the distal tip end is received in the tube through the opening and the distal section is generally surrounded by tube, with the proximal portion being affixed to an outer surface of the distal section. In some embodiments, the closed distal end is shaped with a bulbous portion that can spread and widen to provide a larger surface contact area.

Abstract: A microwave ablation antenna assembly (10) including a coaxial cable (14) terminating in a radiating section (16), a first tubular member (18) circumscribing the coaxial cable (14) and spaced therefrom to permit fluid flow therebetween, and a second tubular member (20) circumscribing the first tubular member (18) and spaced therefrom to permit fluid flow therebetween. The microwave ablation antenna assembly (10) further includes a hub (26) configured to receive the coaxial cable (14), first tubular member (18), and second tubular member (20), the hub (26) including a fluid inflow chamber (36) and a fluid outflow chamber (38) and an integrated hub divider (40) and hub cap (28) separating the fluid inflow chamber (36) from the fluid outflow chamber (38) and prohibiting fluid flow between the inflow chamber (36) and outflow chamber (38) except via the spacing between the coaxial cable (14) and the first tubular member (18) and between the first tubular member (18) and the second tubular member (20).

Abstract: Prosthesis deployment devices are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the prosthesis deployment device comprises an elongate delivery catheter assembly configured for electrosurgery and also configured to retain and deploy a prosthesis. Kits comprising the prosthesis deployment devices with a prosthesis loaded into a prosthesis pod of the device are disclosed herein as well as methods of using the prosthesis deployment devices.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument has dual zone smoke evacuation for providing efficient capture and evacuation of smoke generated during an electrosurgical procedure. A hand piece with a proximal and a distal end is coupled to a front piece having a distal opening leading into an interior conduit. An extendable section is at least partially disposed within the interior conduit and extends distally out of the distal opening of the front piece. The extendable section is selectively translatable within the interior conduit. A negative pressure source enables the capture and evacuation of smoke through both the extendable section and the interior conduit.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for performing a procedure for ovarian rebalancing. The methods and systems may be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The systems and methods may also be useful in the treatment of infertility associated with PCOS.

Abstract: A blood vessel dissecting device is disclosed, which includes at least two dissecting devices, which are inserted into a living body along a blood vessel to dissect tissue in a direction of alignment thereof with the blood vessel. The at least two dissecting devices include a first dissecting device and a second dissecting device. The first dissecting device and the second dissecting device are disposed juxtaposedly in the living body, and a branch vessel branched from the blood vessel is located between the first dissecting device and the second dissecting device.

Abstract: A blood vessel dissecting device is disclosed, which includes a dissecting device which, when being inserted into a living body along a blood vessel, dissects tissue in a direction of alignment thereof with the blood vessel, and a cutting device which, when being inserted into the living body along the blood vessel, cuts tissue surrounding the blood vessel in a direction of alignment thereof with the blood vessel. The cutting device includes a main body section which is inserted into the living body and holds the tissue between itself and the dissecting device, and a cutting section which cuts the tissue held between the main body section and the dissecting device.

Abstract: A tissue resecting device includes an outer sleeve having an axial bore extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end and opening to an outer window near the distal end. An inner sleeve is rotatably received in the axial bore of the outer sleeve and has an axial channel adapted for communication with a negative pressure source. A distal housing is attached to a distal end of the inner sleeve and has an annular dielectric portion and a circumferentially adjacent annular metal portion having an inner window with circumferentially spaced-apart sharp cutting edges that opens to the axial channel. An active electrode is carried by the annular dielectric portion, and the inner window is circumferentially spaced-part from the active electrode so that the inner window and the active electrode rotate alternately into alignment with the outer window as the inner sleeve is rotated within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A pulmonary treatment system includes a compact configuration for delivery to an airway of a patient. An energy delivery system of the pulmonary treatment system delivers ultrasound energy to target nerve tissue in or along an airway wall of the airway radially outward from surface tissue to reduce airway resistance in a downstream airway. The pulmonary treatment system may protect tissue in the airway wall of the airway located between the target nerve tissue and the ultrasound energy delivery system by a coolant system that may also act as a coupling fluid for the emitted ultrasound energy.

Abstract: Surgical hub systems are disclosed. A surgical hub system comprises a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to a modular device comprising a sensor configured to detect data associated with the modular device and a device processor. The surgical hub comprises a hub processor, a hub memory coupled to the hub processor. The surgical hub system also comprises a distributed control system executable at least in part by each of the device processor and the hub processor. The distributed control system is configured to: receive the data detected by the sensor; determine control adjustments for the modular device according to the data; and control the modular device according to the control adjustments. When in a first mode, the distributed control system is executed by both the hub processor and the device processor. In a second mode, the distributed control system is executed solely by the device processor.

Abstract: A method of determining the status of a fluid cooled microwave ablation system is provided including providing an electrical current to a pump to pump fluid through an ablation system along a fluid path to cool the ablation system, measuring an electrical current drawn by the pump, and determining a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current. In another aspect of the disclosure, an ablation system is provided including an ablation probe defining a fluid path for circulation of fluid therethrough, a generator configured to supply energy to the ablation probe for treating tissue, a pump configured to pump fluid through the fluid path of the ablation probe to cool the ablation probe, a sensor configured to measure an electrical current drawn by the pump, and a computing device configured to determine a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current.

Abstract: Ultrapolar non-telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability which is capable of using monopolar energy in a bipolar mode for cutting and coagulation and which is also capable of using an ionized gas for cutting and coagulation.

Abstract: An exemplary microwave ablation system is provided. The system may use a switching antenna for both microwave heating of target tissue and microwave radiometry to monitor the temperature of the heated tissue to ensure that the desired temperatures are delivered to adequately treat the target tissue and achieve therapeutic goals. The system may integrate switching components into the switching antenna, which eliminates error from heating of the reference termination and heating of the electrical cables.

Abstract: An EEG headpiece includes an array of electrode pins, each electrode pin extending between a proximal end, formed by a proximal end face, and a distal end and including a conducting electrode and a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is arranged at least around a periphery of the electrode pin or is pressable from a hollow space to the periphery. Each electrode pin is equipped for the transmission of energy, especially mechanical vibration energy, from the proximal end face to the thermoplastic material to liquefy at least portions of the thermoplastic material from a solid state to a flowable state, whereby the thermoplastic material is capable of flowing into structures of a tissue portion surrounding the periphery and of forming, after re-solidification of the thermoplastic material, an anchoring of the electrode pin in the tissue portion.

Abstract: A portable electrocauter used especially for electrofulguration, electrodesiccation and electrocoagulation contains a source of energy and an applicator. The electrocauter is provided with the source of DC with the maximal current of 1 mA and voltage between 0.8 to 12 kV. The applicator is provided with precisely aiming finish and the patient is conductively connected with the equipment by disposable grounding electrode while the output of the discharge between the working electrode and the surface of the skin is in the range of 0.3 to 4.0 W.